Dyshidrotic Eczema Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Sadegh Amini, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Sep 15, 2011
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

Conditions to consider in the differential diagnosis of dyshidrotic eczema include the following:

  • Dyshidrosiform pemphigoid - May have vesicles (vesicular pemphigoid) or may be evident as erythema and swelling, with bullae on the palmoplantar areas[20] (In fact, bullous pemphigoid may closely resemble recurrent vesicular hand eczema.[21] )
  • Inflammatory tinea pedis or tinea manus
  • Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis
  • Pustular bacterid
  • Pustular psoriasis
  • Recurrent focal palmar peeling (previously termed keratolysis exfoliativa)
  • Dyshidrosis-like variant of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma[22]
  • Bullous impetigo
  • Juvenile plantar dermatosis
  • Linear IgA-disease with (hemorrhagic) pompholyx
  • Vesicobullous mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome

Differential Diagnoses

Proceed to Workup
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sadegh Amini, MD  Dermatology Resident, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Sadegh Amini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and International Society of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Camila K Janniger, MD  Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Camila K Janniger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Anne E Burdick, MD, MPH  Professor of Dermatology, Director of Leprosy Program, Associate Dean for TeleHealth and Clinical Outreach, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Anne E Burdick, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kevin P Connelly, DO  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center

Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Ivan D Camacho, MD, Julie K Keck, MD, and James D Korb, MD, to the development and writing of the source articles.

References

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Tense vesicles and bullae on the palm. Courtesy of Norman Minars, MD, University of Miami, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery.
Close-up view of tense vesicles and bullae of the palm. Courtesy of Norman Minars, MD, University of Miami, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery.
Discrete yellow pustules on the sole of the foot. Courtesy of Norman Minars, MD, University of Miami, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery.
Multiple tense vesicles on the palm.
Small tense vesicles on the fingers.
Small, discrete, coalesced vesicles on the dorsal hand.
Small, discrete, coalesced vesicles on the fingers.
Palms and soles of a patient with a dyshidrosis flare. The patient unroofed a large bulla on the right sole.
Small discrete vesicles of the lateral fingers.
 
 
 
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